Behavior at the competitions

[BJC]

was it pokemon... I can understand if it was pokemon, those games are awesome!

But seriously, that students would consider doing this at all during a comptition has me baffled. The FIRST experience is so unique and special, and you're waisting it playing videogames?

Walk around the pits, collect buttons, examine others robots, scout, meet new people, and for heavens sake Cheer For Your Robot! There are so many teams that just sit and watch quietly well their robot is playing! Coming from a team who got other teams mad at us for standing up and cheering during one of our matches at Atlanta (Apparently, we were blocking their view, Sorry we ended up changing to a less viewblocking area further to the side.) I want to see people excited at robotics comptitions, because its an exciting thing!

If people want to play videogames while their at a FIRST comptition then something is seriously wrong...

my 2 cents

[ALTrammell818]

Originally Posted by BJC

was it pokemon... I can understand if it was pokemon, those games are awesome!

But seriously, that students would consider doing this at all during a comptition has me baffled. The FIRST experience is so unique and special, and you're waisting it playing videogames?

Walk around the pits, collect buttons, examine others robots, scout, meet new people, and for heavens sake Cheer For Your Robot! There are so many teams that just sit and watch quietly well their robot is playing! Coming from a team who got other teams mad at us for standing up and cheering during one of our matches at Atlanta (Apparently, we were blocking their view, Sorry we ended up changing to a less viewblocking area further to the side.) I want to see people excited at robotics comptitions, because its an exciting thing!

If people want to play videogames while their at a FIRST comptition then something is seriously wrong...

my 2 cents

I couldn't agree with you more. I am baffled by the number of people who would rather play video games or just talk in the pits rather than cheer for their team or another for that matter.

[Mike Martus]

From our very first year we set standards that all students must strive to adhere to. In the early years (pre-handheld games - yes this did exist) you would often see other students playing cards in the corner, getting friendly (you know what I mean) and other activities we as leaders - mentors of our team felt were not in the interest of our team. We had rules regarding these behaviors - a Code of Standards.

Sorry but IMAGE is an important part of life, and image for your team is important.... Students..... you never know who is who at an event and who is watching you.

There was an incident told to me many years ago by some of my students - short version....
While on an elevator with several other students at a hotel and a adult the other students (not my team) started swearing, pushing and plain being rude. One of my students spoke up and asked them to respect their team and FIRST finishing it with "Cool it". The response was "Mind your own business". As they left the elevator the adult asked to speak to my students. He thanked them for their comments and praised them for doing and saying what is right.

Later in the competition when we were getting an award.... The lead judge smiled at them and said " I remember you".

True story.

[Wildcat]

My team had problems with this too at our last competition. The "no games at competition" policy is strictly enforced by both the mentors and the scouting team. Scouting team enforces it heavily because we're the head students in the stands during competitions. If the games become an increasing problem (as in telling the same person to put it away multiple times) the object used for gaming will get confiscated until the end of the day. However, the policy of no games in only enforced while matches or the opening ceremonies or speeches are going on. During our lunch breaks its ok for students to play games and such untill matches start back up again.

[Mr. Pockets]

To be fair, I'll admit the opening ceremonies aren't that enthralling, but they also are over pretty quick. My generation's attention span must be even shorter than I imagined if we can't sit still without something to entertain us for a whole 15 minutes.

I was in the pits for the good majority of our first district, but from what I heard the biggest problem for us seemed to be people playing games during the actual matches. After spending the Detroit district* up in the stands (or more accurately hovering by the rail watching the bots) I can't imagine why this would ever be seen as boring. With so many amazing and creative bots I was almost never bored watching the games. Between games they play so much amazing dance music I can't see why people would even be sitting down.

FRC competitions are fun people. If you honestly need a video game system to keep you interested, you're ignoring a tremendous experience.

*At which gaming systems were a non-existent issue.

[ErikEdhlund]

When I was a first year student and didn't really get what FIRST really was, I was one of those students who would sit with the DS. I have come to really think of it as the new student tier. The new students just need to see the spark and enjoyment of FIRST in all ways. Once those students really get involved with their team, the need to use a game system during a competition goes away. If you see a student who is playing a game system at a competition, don't frown at them and walk away. Maybe talk to them and ask them about their opinion of this years game or ask how did they contribute to the team. As for family members who come to competition, there really isn't much that can be said about their actions.

[NOV8R]

Team 1583 has team 'norms' which are student enforced. You become a team member by demonstrating respect, motivation, spirit,and gracious professionalism among other character traits. It's not showing much respect or being very gracious to other teams by playing video games at a regional while they compete. Btw, we've won the gracious professionalism award the past three years in a row at the Denver regional and it wasn't for helping others play video games.

[Chris is me]

I generally don't think "oh, what huge brats" when I see kids on other teams playing DS or texting during a long opening speech, and that their actions can be used to extrapolate that they don't appreciate FIRST. I think it's a simple combination of lack of awareness, the somewhat hyperactive nature of the average FIRST student, and the culture of today that makes this thing happen rather than an intentional effort to disrespect speakers.

Consider that people these days do stuff like livetweeting, texting, dynamic communication, and internet reference lookup on their phones and it'll look a lot less bad. I'm sure if someone looked at me at Kickoff and saw me typing a tweet about it, it wouldn't look the best.

To clarify, though, I don't approve at all and think students should be corrected, and that's not something I tolerate on 2791.

[HeatherM]

Another thought about the National Anthem (s), our National Anthem (not sure the policy in other countries) was written and intended to be a collective experience of patriotism and national pride. It is actually considered BAD MANNERS to stand quietly during the singing of the anthem. Unfortunately, our culture has allowed the anthem to turn into a performer/audience situation, which it was never intended to be. It is actually against United States flag code to applaud for the anthem.

[ShortBang]

Originally Posted by HeatherM

Another thought about the National Anthem (s), our National Anthem (not sure the policy in other countries) was written and intended to be a collective experience of patriotism and national pride. It is actually considered BAD MANNERS to stand quietly during the singing of the anthem. Unfortunately, our culture has allowed the anthem to turn into a performer/audience situation, which it was never intended to be. It is actually against United States flag code to applaud for the anthem.

I must respectfully disagree. It is not wrong to stand quietly during the National Anthem.

§301. National anthem

1. Designation. — The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.

2. Conduct During Playing — During rendition of the national anthem —

1. when the flag is displayed —

1. individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;

2. members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and

3. all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and

2. when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.

[Chris is me]

I really prefer not fussing over details in the Anthem. Does someone's singing, silence, posture, and position really determine the level of one's respect for the country? It's no big deal either way, really, as long as people have good intentions and put in an honest effort. If they directly don't observe the anthem out of protest or whatever, then try and be subtle and don't make a scene. Pretty simple...

[ShortBang]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

I really prefer not fussing over details in the Anthem. Does someone's singing, silence, posture, and position really determine the level of one's respect for the country? It's no big deal either way, really, as long as people have good intentions and put in an honest effort. If they directly don't observe the anthem out of protest or whatever, then try and be subtle and don't make a scene. Pretty simple...

Yes it does, at least to me, and I am sure other people. However, this enters the discussion into Politics and Beliefs which we are kindly asked to refrain from on CD, so I will leave it at that.

In the grand scheme of things, I have noticed that FIRSTers are far and above on of the most respectful groups when it comes to things such as this, and I think that says a lot to the sense of professionalism that FIRST has instilled in us all.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by HeatherM

It is actually considered BAD MANNERS to stand quietly during the singing of the anthem.

Standing at attention implies standing quietly.

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 36, CHAPTER 10, §171. Conduct during playing

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

Originally Posted by HeatherM

Unfortunately, our culture has allowed the anthem to turn into a performer/audience situation, which it was never intended to be. It is actually against United States flag code to applaud for the anthem.

I don't know of anything in the flag code that says that. I think you might be confusing the National Anthem with the Pledge of Allegiance.

[Koko Ed]

I've seen things in my travels from regional to regional these past couple of years that by far surpasses ignoring Deans speeches (like openly using abusive language towards other teams, team members when the team loses and generally ignoring arena rules - the barrier is there for a reason not to jump over) but the kid barking out " WRAP IT UP!" in Boston would have probably seen his last moments as a member of my team if he pulled that stunt.

[Evert Timberg]

This goes back to inappropriate conduct during the speeches. I remember back to when I was a rookie and a student on the team I now mentor. I always thought that Dean's speeches were not interesting but I was never disrespectful. Now that I'm older, I find his speeches much more interesting and captivating. I think that part of the problem may be that once students see one person do it they'll do it as well. Once someone gets away with it once, they expect to get away with it all the time.